Did you know the City of Oroville plans to build a biomass gasification plant in S. Oroville?
- Cancer Risks: Oroville ranks #1 in California for pancreatic cancer and #7 for
lung cancer. Due to the cluster of pancreatic deaths in Oroville, the POPI (Pacific
Oroville Power Inc.) site was declared a Superfund site by the EPA in 2012.
Adding a biomass gasification plant will increase toxic particulate matter and
hazardous air pollution. - Dioxins & Furans: Biomass combustion generates dioxins, which are highly
persistent, bio-accumulative and carcinogenic. - Respiratory Hazards: Increased smoke and ash emissions threaten residents
with asthma, COPD, and cardiovascular disease. - Other Issues: Increased truck traffic bringing wood and possibly toxic ag
products to be burned at the plant will decrease air quality, increase noise
pollution, damage roads, and there will be noise 24/7.
The Troubling History of the Proposed Site
- Past Violations: One of the plants will be located on the former Pacific Oroville
Power Inc. (POPI) site. Following a successful Butte County lawsuit for illegally
burning toxic construction debris, the plant was shut down in 2012. - The CA Dept of Public Health STILL advises residents in the S. Oroville area to
avoid eating eggs or meat from free-ranging chickens. Disturbing the soil or
burning biomass near this area risks aerosolizing long-buried toxins into Oroville
neighborhoods. As DA Mike Ramsey said at the town hall in August 2025, “That
POPI plant is infected with dioxins….” (Chico E-R)
What We Must Do
- Demand transparent, independent environmental studies regarding the emissions and risks, and insist on strict enforcement by the Butte County Air Quality Management District.
- Voice your concerns at Oroville City Council meetings, and write letters to the editor of the Chico E-R.
- Join the Dioxin Education Committee (DEC). For more information, go to the DEC website:
https://dioxineducation.org - Watch the film on the website that shows why biomass is bad for the environment and dangerous for humans: “Stop Clearcutting CA” by Dr. Shaye Wolf.